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Shopping and Shipping

Shipping

We normally ship your order within 1-2 business days. Because tea is a priority, we offer the option of FedEx or USPS. Generally, shipments arrive in 2-3 days, and you will be sent a confirmation e-mail when your package is sent. You can track your package with the number provided in the confirmation e-mail.

Shipping Charges

Shipments within the United States: We offer free standard shipping when your subtotal is more than $75.00.

Shipments outside the United States: After we receive your order, we will contact you via e-mail with estimated shipping charges.

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or share any of your personal information. Any information you give us is used for tea-related purposes only. We also take precautions to protect your credit card information, so shopping online is as safe as can be.

Broken Items

We make every effort to ensure safe arrival of your items. If something has arrived broken, please contact us within 48 hours at shopping@theteasmith.com.

Returns

If you change your mind about a product, please contact us within 7 days of receipt of your shipment at shopping@theteasmith.com so we can make arrangements to take it back. However, we cannot accept returns of food items, including tea.

Sales Tax

If you're fortunate enough to live in Nebraska, you can expect to pay sales tax. In other states, any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the purchaser.

About Tea

Which teas do you recommend?

That's a complicated (but very common) question. A good way to find teas that suit your taste is to figure out what kinds of foods you like. If you like things spicy, try chai. If you like mellow, mild flavors, a Chinese green might do the trick. Assams are hearty and malty, Sencha is fresh and sharp and Darjeelings have complex flavor profiles. Another way to chose is to select a tea based on the time of day you will be enjoying. Many of our customers like a stronger flavor in the morning to get going and a light or caffeine-free selection in the evening.

What are the differences between all these teas?

It has been said that there are 10,000 styles of tea, all from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences in flavor come from processing steps after harvest, growing region, weather and climate differences, additional flavoring and the brewing style. Most people classify tea by processing type: green, black, oolong, white, etc. If you're interested, click here to see a processing chart.

How do I make the perfect cup of tea?

Loose tea is just as easy as bagged tea, and the taste is better! We label each package with our recommendations for amount of tea, water temperature and time. To make a 16-ounce pot of English Breakfast, for example, infuse 2 tsp. tea in 16 oz water at 208°F for 5 minutes. To make iced tea, double the amount of tea and pour over ice. To make a quart of iced English Breakfast, infuse 4 tsp. tea in 16 oz water at 208°F for 5 minutes, then pour over ice.

How do I make iced tea?

There are four methods to making iced tea: the patient method, the impatient method, a cold infusion, and party-sized infusion.

Please note: These instructions are for tea. For herbal infusions, triple the tea quantity.

The Impatient Method
Infuse 2 teaspoons of tea per 8 oz. water. After infusing, pour over a glass full of ice and enjoy! Serves one.

Cold Infusion
Grab a size 4 T-sac and add approximately 1 oz. of tea leaves inside the T-sac. Fill a one gallon pitcher with cold water. Place the T-sac in the pitcher and let it sit in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.

The Party Method
This is the Impatient Method on a larger scale. Fill up a size 4 T-sac with 1 oz. of tea leaves and place in a one-gallon pitcher. Infuse the tea using only 1/2 gallon of hot water. After tea is done infusing, pour over a one gallon pitcher of ice.

Can I reuse my tea leaves?

Many teas can be infused, or brewed, twice or more. After you finish your first pot, simply pour more hot water over the wet leaves. Wait the same amount of time as recommended and drink. How many times? It is largely a matter of personal taste, but some teas will produce good results four or more times.

Is tea healthy?

Five thousand years ago, tea was consumed for its reputed health benefits. Today, many medical studies indicate that regular tea consumption can reduce risk for many diseases, but little "hard evidence" exists. Tea can be part of a healthy lifestyle, especially when compared to sugary drinks. No one should treat medical problems with tea alone, no matter what the latest Internet health guru says.

Does all tea have caffeine?

The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, naturally produces caffeine. In the plant world, its bitterness acts as a natural insecticide. In the human world, it provides a nice invigorating effect. Since it is not possible to decaffeinate tea at home, we provide caffeine-free herbal blends and decaffeinated teas. The teas we offer have been decaffeinated through a safe carbon dioxide process.